Don’t Skip These Summer Car Maintenance Needs

FAST FACTS

It costs about $4,000 to maintain a Porsche Cayenne SUV for its first four years, which is one of the highest costs of any car on the market.

1 in 3 owners of automotive repair shops reports declining revenues and expect to be out of business by 2020.

Car maintenance is only necessary during the winter, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, that’s what most people tend to think. Once the cold weather sets in, people start to think about having their oil changed, their fluids topped off and their tires looked at.

The need for routine car maintenance doesn’t take a break for the summer. Follow these tips to keep your vehicle in top shape and avoid a greater risk of a mechanical-related car accident in Pensacola.

1. Your Coolant System

You don’t want to be stuck in 100-plus temperatures with a malfunctioning coolant system. Take a day and have your system checked.

The mechanic will look at hoses and the reservoir to ensure everything is in proper working condition. You can perform a quick check yourself by squeezing the hoses and making sure they are firm.

2. Belts

Take a close look at the belt that runs between the fan, the alternator and other components. Look for any knicks, small cracks or pieces missing.

If you see these things, the belt needs to be replaced. If you keep it in your vehicle, you run the risk of it snapping.

3. Wipers

You may not think about your windshield wipers until they stop working properly. However, you’re going to want to make sure that they are functioning properly when that big summer storm hits.

Replacing your own wipers is easy and can be done in about 5 minutes.

4. Fluids

You have more fluids in your car than just oil. Your power-steering fluid, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid can be checked easily.

Make it a habit to check your fluids once a month, every fourth gas fill-up or on some other schedule that works for you.

5. Air Conditioning

Speaking of 100-plus temperatures, imagine having to drive down the road with no air conditioning. If your system isn’t working properly, you’re going to be driving down the road in a car that is hotter than the temperatures outside.

A mechanic can easily fix your air conditioning system when you first notice a problem. Wait too long and you could be looking at more major repairs.

6. Air Filter

You can change the air filter yourself on most cars without much effort. You can grab a new air filter at an auto supply store.

If you aren’t quite sure how to change your filter or just don’t want to tackle the job yourself, take your car to a mechanic. Having an air filter changed is a relatively inexpensive fix that doesn’t take long to complete.

7. Tire Pressure

Pressure is as important in the summer as it is in the winter. The hot air can expand the pressure in your vehicle’s tires. The rubber can expand and warp. Summer driving also means that you could be picking up more road debris in the tread.

Look at your tires closely and then give them a good once over weekly. A little bit of prevention can help you avoid an accident caused by a blowout.

Call a Pensacola Car Accident Lawyer Today

Car accidents aren’t always caused by someone’s mistake behind the wheel. Thousands of accidents occur every year because owners forget to perform routine maintenance on their vehicles ignore small problems, allowing them to become bigger ones.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking your vehicle only requires checks and maintenance when cooler weather strikes or your planning a road trip. Routine maintenance is what keeps your vehicle in top condition and safer for you to drive.

If you are involved in an accident because someone’s vehicle malfunctioned or for some other reason, call a Pensacola car accident lawyer. A member of our team will help you schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation and review the details of your accident.

There are legal options you should be aware of and rights that we are here to protect. Call today to schedule your consultation and learn more about how we can help you recover damages you are entitled to.